Bole, Branch, Current Year Twig, Leaf and Roof Biomass Production in Tropical Rain (Wet Ever Green) Forests of Western Ghats of Karnataka

Abstract

Bole, branch, current year twigs, leaf and root biomass has been determined for Tropical Rain Forests of Western Ghats in Karnataka, by method of allometric analysis. Individual regression equations for 12 spp of these forests, and equations for overwood and nnderwood spp have been found. Besides, a general equation for the forest as a unit has also been found. It is seen that character D²H is the best estimator of bole biomass, while for all other components DBH is the best estimator. Invariably log-log relationships have given better fit. In all 34 equations are given for various relationships. Over 95.39% variation in bole biomass is dependent upon tbe character D²H. Similarly, more than 85.19% variation in branch biomass and 73.58% variation in root biomass is dependent upon DBH. However, in case of leaf biomass combined prediction for the forest as a unit is poor. The level of significance of the relationships is given. Number of trees sampled for different components were 433, 226, 221 and 91 for bole, branch, current year twig & leaf and root biomass, respectively.